Back
2.07.2023Bayer 04

Bayer 04 mourn the loss of Klaus Täuber

Klaus Täuber passed away at the age of 65 on Saturday. The striker, known as the ‘Boxer’ due to having the same birthday as Muhammad Ali and his physical approach to the game, won the UEFA Cup with Bayer 04 in 1988 playing an important role in Leverkusen's first title win on the European stage.
crop_imago0001745010h.jpg

Täuber, born in Erlangen in Bavaria, made his Bundesliga debut for FC Nürnberg in the 1978/79 season. He moved on to Schalke 04 via Stuttgarter Kickers and flourished as a striker with the Royal Blues. He joined Bayer 04 in 1987. In his first season playing for the Black and Reds, Täuber made 23 Bundesliga appearances and scored six goals. The left-footer had his biggest success with the Werkself that season in the UEFA Cup.

After a 3-0 defeat against Espanyol in the first leg of the final, Bayer 04 entertained the Spanish side in Leverkusen. Täuber came off the bench on 62 minutes with the scoreline at 1-0 in place of Tita who was on a yellow card. A minute later he provided the cross for Falko Götz to double the lead at 2-0. The Werkself scored a third to take the game into extra time and penalties. Täuber converted the crucial spot-kick to win the UEFA Cup.

He started the next season at Bayer 04 but was forced to end his career due to injury in November 1988. Following his playing career, he worked as a coach including with the Schalke Reserves and Schwarz-Weiß Essen. Klaus Täuber passed away on Saturday at the age of 65.

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #FCUB04
Bundesliga - 21.02.2026

Matchday news #FCUB04: Continue unbeaten run at set-piece specialists Union Berlin

Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel beim 1. FC Union Berlin | 23. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 20.02.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #FCUB04: ‘We are not naive and will be alert’

After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

Show more
1. FC Union Berlin
Bundesliga - 20.02.2026

Our next opponents: Back on the road to success thanks to united approach

Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Jubel nach Abpfiff
Champions League - 19.02.2026

Werkself Review #OLYB04: 'The first step is done'

It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.

Show more